Russia's hardliners view Alaska as their "Ice Crimea"
The war in Ukraine continues to rage on, with intense fighting in the eastern Donetsk Oblast region causing slow and costly Russian advances. Despite this, there have been diplomatic efforts to find a resolution, with key meetings taking place between world leaders.
Germany, along with the United States, supports the goal of ending Russia's aggression against Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul consulted with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to discuss strategies for peace. However, recent long-range strikes by Russian forces have resulted in civilian casualties, causing concern and tension in the lead-up to diplomatic meetings.
Notably, former US President Donald Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August 2025. The meeting raised prospects for negotiations, but it did not result in any significant shift in Putin’s demands, who continues to insist on Russian control over the Donbass region. Discussions have involved potential security guarantees for Ukraine from Western powers, possibly hinting at collective security agreements modeled after NATO’s Article 5.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, there have been reports of drone attacks on Russian infrastructure. The Rosneft refinery in Russia was hit by drones on Sunday, killing one person and injuring others. Reports suggest that a longer shutdown of the refinery could affect the country's gasoline supply. The former President of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, estimates that Russian losses from a one-month closure of the Rosneft refinery could amount to $240 million.
Russian nationalists and Kremlin propagandists have made claims about the resource-rich US region of Alaska, calling it the "Ice-Crimea." Meanwhile, Russia hopes that the meeting between Putin and Trump will improve relations with the USA.
In a separate incident, Russian forces reportedly bombed targets in the Belgorod region, Russia, causing damage to civilian properties. A Russian woman in the Belgorod region reported her house was bombed by the Russian air force.
As the war continues, both sides face challenges. Russia struggles to make significant advances in Ukraine, while the ongoing conflict has caused civilian casualties and economic losses. Diplomatic efforts continue, with leaders from countries such as the UK and Canada agreeing that peace cannot be imposed on Ukraine and must be achieved together with the government in Kyiv.
In a strange twist, US President Donald Trump mistakenly said he was going to Russia, but he probably meant Alaska. There have also been reports of Russian authorities testing shutting down video and audio calls on popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram, causing disruptions for users across Russia.
References:
- ntv.de, gho/dpa/rts/AFP
- The Kyiv Independent
- Downdetector
- Agentstvo (Independent Russian media outlet)
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
- Chinese Ambassador issues stern message to India regarding Trump's tariffs in midst of escalating trade feuds
- Aircraft collides with another one on the runway during landing at Montana airport, igniting flames
